RMAFC Moves to Secure Sustainable Funding for Nigeria’s Foreign Missions
Oru Leonard
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has initiated a presidential-backed review of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions funding arrangements, seeking a sustainable, transparent and predictable framework to address persistent financial challenges affecting the country’s foreign missions.
The initiative was unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja as RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, presided over the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Technical Working Group on the Review of Funding Arrangements for Nigeria’s Foreign Missions.
The exercise follows a presidential directive issued on October 14, 2026, mandating a comprehensive fiscal and technical assessment of existing funding arrangements in collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Speaking at the meeting, Shehu expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his intervention, noting that the President was committed to finding a lasting solution to the financial difficulties confronting Nigeria’s diplomatic missions.
He charged members of the Working Group to develop practical recommendations capable of addressing the challenges and producing lasting policy solutions.
“Mr President is very passionate about this exercise. So he expects us to come up with something that is workable, that can be implemented and that can solve this problem once and for all,” he said.
The RMAFC chairman described Nigeria’s diplomatic missions as enduring symbols of the country’s sovereignty and critical instruments of international engagement.
He noted that the missions play vital roles in protecting Nigerians abroad, strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations, promoting trade and investment, and projecting the country’s image internationally.
According to him, these responsibilities require reliable financial support, warning that recurrent uncertainty in funding and resource administration could undermine the operational effectiveness of the missions.
Shehu explained that the Commission’s intervention was informed by observations from official study engagements and interactions with personnel of Nigerian diplomatic missions in different countries, which exposed the operational implications of funding constraints.
He also clarified that RMAFC’s involvement was anchored on its constitutional mandate under Paragraph 32(c), Part I of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which empowers it to advise governments on fiscal efficiency and methods of increasing revenue.
He emphasised that the initiative was designed to complement the statutory responsibilities of other government institutions rather than encroach on their mandates.
The Working Group has been directed to submit its comprehensive report, alongside a programme of action for implementation, not later than December 11, 2026.
Outlining the assignment, Shehu said members would examine existing funding arrangements, identify the causes of financial instability, evaluate alternative funding models and recommend a framework that is transparent, predictable, affordable and sustainable.
He stressed that the review should go beyond demands for increased budgetary allocations to address issues such as timely release of funds, budget preparation and execution, foreign exchange measures, expenditure management and prioritisation of essential diplomatic commitments.
The chairman further urged the team to consider relevant international practices while ensuring that its recommendations reflect Nigeria’s constitutional, legal and institutional realities.
He identified evidence-based analysis, inclusive consultations and practical, legally sound recommendations as the guiding principles of the exercise.
According to him, the assignment should not be treated as an investigation into institutional shortcomings or an exercise in apportioning blame, but as a collective effort to strengthen coordination across government and establish a durable funding mechanism.
The immediate priorities include agreeing on the Working Group’s Terms of Reference, developing a structured work plan, identifying relevant financial and operational documents required from participating institutions, and establishing modalities for broader stakeholder consultations.
Shehu said the final report must provide evaluated funding options, recommend a preferred approach and outline an implementation framework with clear timelines, institutional responsibilities and necessary administrative or legal measures.
He called on participating institutions to give the exercise the necessary priority by providing timely access to reliable information and adequate support for their representatives.
He assured members that RMAFC would provide secretariat coordination and technical assistance to facilitate the assignment.
The RMAFC chairman maintained that Nigeria’s diplomatic presence abroad must be supported by the institutional capacity to fulfil international obligations, protect diplomatic personnel, respond to citizens’ needs and engage foreign partners effectively.
He added that any proposed funding arrangement must balance the operational requirements of foreign missions with fiscal discipline, accountability and prudent management of public resources.
Among the RMAFC Federal Commissioners present were Hon. Ibrahim Bako Shettima (Niger State), Hon. (Barr.) Rakiya Tanko Ayuba Haruna, mni (Kebbi State), Amb. (Prof.) Steve Ugba (Benue State), Amb. Ayuba Jacob Ngbako (FCT), Hon. Muhammed Kabir Mashi, OON (Katsina State), and Hon. (Dr.) Enefe Ekene (Anambra State).
Other dignitaries included the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Dunoma Umar Ahmed; Senior Adviser to the President on Foreign Affairs, Amb. Oluremi Olumide; and Deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, DCG Franka Halliday, mni.
Representatives of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, alongside other stakeholders, also attended.
The inaugural meeting signals the commencement of an inter-agency process aimed at strengthening the financial and operational capacity of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions through a more predictable, accountable and fiscally responsible funding framework.
